No one can sit on the sidelines today when it comes to spiritual matters. A war is going on between good and evil, and every believer is involved. For every Christian who wants a meaningful prayer life that is more than just asking for blessings. Bestselling author Stormie Omartian shows how to pray with strength and purpose―prayers resulting in great victory, not only personally but also in advancing God's kingdom and glory.

These are my notes for the study.

As a prayer warrior you must be absolutely sure of your authority in prayer. If you not the enemy will attempt to bombard you with doubt. “You can’t pray.” “God doesn’t hear your prayers.” “What makes you think God will listen to you?” “You have no authority because you are not good enough.” “Your prayers won’t get past the ceiling.” “God doesn’t answer your prayers.” As we learned in our last study there will be times that were tempted to believe him because we don’t see the results we want or expect. If we question our authority we will become ineffective. We have to be confident that we have been given the authority and that will never change no matter what. Our Commander doesn’t give and then take back so if He gave us authority in prayer we always have if. Whether we use it or not is on us.

You Have Authority Because You Have Jesus

The basis for your authority in prayer is that Jesus is your Commander as we learned two weeks ago and you have His Spirit in your heart. The Bible says Jesus “is mighty in you”

I will give you all the proof you want that Christ speaks through me. Christ is not weak when he deals with you; he is powerful among you. Although he was crucified in weakness, he now lives by the power of God. We, too, are weak, just as Christ was, but when we deal with you we will be alive with him and will have God’s power.2 Corinthians 13:3‭-‬4 NLT

So we don’t have to depend on our own strength or authority it’s really all on Jesus’ shoulders.

It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God. He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant. This is a covenant not of written laws, but of the Spirit. The old written covenant ends in death; but under the new covenant, the Spirit gives life.2 Corinthians 3:5‭-‬6 NLT

Unless we have disqualified ourselves with sin of some kind, we are Christ’s, and we can come before God and pray in Jesus’ name and God always recognizes our authority in prayer because we are one of His kids. We have His DNA. We are members of His family and as a result we have certain rights and privileges. Even if we sin, if we are truly sorrowful and confess and ask forgiveness He does forgive.

But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.1 John 1:9 NLT

Jesus’ shed blood and resurrection are the grounds for your authority over all evil power when you pray.

Jesus’ shed blood and resurrection are the grounds for your authority over all evil power when you pray. Jesus’ shed blood and resurrection are the grounds for your authority over all evil power when you pray.

Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.Ephesians 1:21‭-‬22 NLT

The fact that you have received Jesus means that everything He accomplished on the cross applies to you. Jesus is the source of all your authority and power. When you receive Him, He shares both of those with you. That means you have authority and power in prayer based on what He accomplished.

Having the proper authority is extremely important. It is not your authority it is Jesus authority and you are acting under His authority. That’s import hat you understand that. Even Jesus did not speak on His own authority before He was crucified and resurrected from the dead.

I don’t speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me has commanded me what to say and how to say it. And I know his commands lead to eternal life; so I say whatever the Father tells me to say.”John 12:49‭-‬50 NLT

We don’t pray on our own authority either, but on the authority given to us by the Lord.

This is something you must be sure of at all times, because that certainty of the authority you have been given the spirit realm means you are instantly ready as a prayer warrior whenever the Holy Spirit prompts your heart. Keep your mind focused on the Lord and not the enemy.

You Have Authority Because of the Name of Jesus

Not just anyone can use the name of Jesus and be heard by Him. Jesus has only given those of us who have established a relationship with Him the authority and power to use His name. That is an amazing promise, and its full significance must be anchored in our minds and hearts.

Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!John 14:14 NLT

He has given you the right to use His name as authorization to take your petition before God’s throne.

At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.John 16:23‭-‬24 NLT

When God raised Jesus from the dead and seated Him at His right hand above all evil powers, His name was also elevated far above “every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.

Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.Philippians 2:9‭-‬11 NLT

Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church.Ephesians 1:21‭-‬22 NLTNow that is authority. And He gives this authority in His name to you and me. We have authority in prayer as prayer warriors for Him. Don’t let the enemy tell you any different. You have the authority!

You Have Authority Because Jesus Rescued You from the Tyranny of Evil

For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.Colossians 1:13‭-‬14 NLT

I like what Stormie said when she wrote “ The word “conveyed” (transferred in the NLT) in terms of war has to do with an army that has been captured and sent to another place—often from one country to another. Jesus captured us from the kingdom of darkness and conveyed us to His kingdom of light. We have been transferred out of enemy territory and into God’s kingdom. This adds to the authority we have been given to stand in prayer against the evil powers of darkness that want to wage war against the kingdom of God and His people and bring us back into darkness.

And where is the kingdom of God?

Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”Luke 17:20‭-‬21 NKJV

Jesus told Peter that He was giving him the keys to the kingdom.

And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”Matthew 16:19 NLT

He gives us authority to do all that in prayer. We can stop things and release things! Can you think of anything you want to stop? Or release? Let me point out that there are limits on what we can stop or release. We may have a study of that one day. The problem with us is that sometimes we want kingdom blessings, but we don’t want to be restricted by kingdom rules.

You Have Authority Because the Holy Spirit Is in You

“A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.John 14:19‭-‬21‭, ‬25‭-‬26 NKJV

The Holy Spirit in us is the proof of our authority in prayer. Remember we said earlier that we had the authority to use the name of Jesus? Well we can’t even acknowledge His name except by the Holy Spirit.

Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.I Corinthians 12:3 NKJV

The Holy Spirit is the guarantee and proof that we belong to God.

Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God, who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a guarantee.II Corinthians 1:21‭-‬22 NKJV

The Holy Spirit is actually in us.

the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.John 14:17 NKJV

And because He is in us, He helps us to pray.

Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.Romans 8:26‭-‬27 NKJV

You are never praying all by yourself because you have the Holy Spirit to help you. You are never without help as to how to pray because He will help you when you ask Him to. This means you have everything you need to be a powerful prayer warrior.

You Have Authority Because You Are Called

When a soldier is called up for duty, he is given a specific assignment. He has authority to do what is necessary in order to carry out that assignment. When you are called to pray, you have full authority to carry out that assignment from God.

At the very beginning of this study we determined that we don’t have any choice but to choose sides in this spiritual war. We are either in God’s army or the enemy’s army. Once you accept Jesus as Lord you immediately become Satan’s enemy because you have been drafted, so to speak, I to God’s army. Now you may choose not to fight but I guarantee that the enemy will attack you.

I like what Stormie wrote here too. When a soldier is called up for duty, he is given a specific assignment. He has authority to do what is necessary in order to carry out that assignment. When you are called to pray, you have full authority to carry out that assignment from God.

I really like her description of intercession.

“n the game of football, the quarterback throws the ball to the wide receiver down the field, who is in a position to catch it and run toward his team’s goal line for a touchdown. It looks as if nothing can stop him—that is, until someone from the opposing team leaps in front of the wide receiver and catches the ball instead. He intercepts the ball and runs it in the opposite direction to his team’s goal line and makes the touchdown score for his team’s side.That is exactly what intercessory prayer does. And that’s what you are doing as a prayer warrior. You see a situation that is headed in a wrong direction and you leapin to intercept that situation in prayer and take it the opposite direction for a victory on God’s side—the team you are on.There are many things God wants to do on earth and in people’s lives, but if someone doesn't

leap in and answer the call to pray, it won’t happen.

An Intercessor stands in the gap.

So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.Ezekiel 22:30 NKJV

Praying for someone, or certain people, the church, the nation, the world, means weare standing before God on their behalf. God is calling you and me—the prayer warriors—to stand in the gap where the enemy has tried to destroy our marriages, families, lives, health, churches, government, finances, hopes, and purpose. To be a prayer warrior is a high calling; the calling itself confirms your authority to do it.Earlier I said we had been drafted let’s change that to called. We are not called because we are great. We are called because He is great.

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the Lord .”I Corinthians 1:27‭-‬31 NKJV

Don’t ever minimize, devalue, or take for granted the anointing of the Lord upon you, the gifts He has given you, or His calling on your life. That means He will enable you to be the powerful prayer warrior He is calling you to be.

Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.I Thessalonians 5:23‭-‬24 NKJV

You Have Authority Because You Are Forgiven

Do you remember last week that we said that we can count on our Commander, Jesus, because the enemy had nothing in Him and because we have been forgiven and He is in us we are in a position stay that he has nothing in us?

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me” (John 14:30).

“And now I have told you before it comes, that when it does come to pass, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.John 14:29‭-‬30 NKJV

Satan had nothing in Jesus because Jesus was sinless. That proves that the enemy can have something in us if we give him a place in our mind, emotions, attitude, or will. He cannot possess us because the Spirit of God is in us and He possesses us, but the enemy can cause us to lose our footing and fall off the path God has for us. He can delay the blessings God waits to give us until we come to our senses and return fully to Him. What Jesus accomplished on the cross defeated the enemy. And the enemy cannot stop us from lifting up Jesus in our heart.

We want to be able to say as Jesus did that “the ruler of this world has nothing in me.” The enemy can only have an inroad into our life if we give him an opening.

Remember we are new creatures because of Jesus So the enemy can’t throw up your past.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.II Corinthians 5:17 NKJV

When you understand your authority in prayer, you will go from simply having a prayer life to enjoying a dynamic and exciting life of prayer. And that is always a good thing.

PRAYER FOR THE PRAYER WARRIORS

THANK You, Jesus, that because I have received You I am a child of God. Thank You that You have paid the price for me to be cleansed from all sin. Thank You that You sit at the right hand of our father God and intercede for me because I believe in You And have received Your Spirit into my heart. Thank You that I am now an heir with You of all that our heavenly Father has for His children. Thank You for giving me authority to pray in Your name and to know that You hear and will answer my prayers according to Your will and Your time.

I pray that You, my Source of hope, will comfort my heart and establish me in Your Word and the work You have called me to (2 Thessalonians 2:16-17). Help me to resist all of the attempts of the enemy to discount the authority You have given me in prayer because of Your victory over death and hell on the cross. Help me to always remember the power of praying in Your name, the gift of Your Holy Spirit in me, the calling You have on my life, and the fact that You have forgiven me of all sin so the enemy can find nothing in me. Lord, help me to be the most effective prayer warrior possible. Teach me to understand the authority You have given me in prayer. Enable me to use that authority to break down strongholds the enemy would attempt to erect in my life and in the lives of others whom You put on my heart. Keep me from doubt that I am qualified to do this because only You supply me with everything I need in order to pray in power. I take my orders from You and no other. I have authority because I have You.

Enable me, Holy Spirit, to always hear Your call to pray. Teach me to rest fully onthe authority You have given me as Your prayer warrior. In Jesus’ name I pray.

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.Colossians 2:8‭-‬10 NKJV